Calaguas Islands, I Love You Three

It was the end of a long summer. For eight weekends, I have found myself traveling to different places starting off with a relaxing stay in Zambawood. April was a witness to my discovering of my eternal love for Vigan, paid a surprise visit to Bangued in Abra and had a short four-day affair with Camiguin. May has dawned. Though I have not gone to far-off places, my calendar was packed with me practicing my mermaiding and had endless meet-ups with friends who literally make my world go around.

Calaguas shore by Escape Manila

I signed up a couple months before to join another Calaguas trip. It would be my third time. The first one was in 2012 and the second just last year. Yes, you can say that I couldn’t get enough of the breath-snatching Calaguas islands.

Before we depart for Calaguas! by Escape Manila

What should be a group of about five people ballooned to a rowdy group of nine. We were supposed to be ten but one backed out the last minute. But I guess nine was just our lucky number. We did a little shopping at the local market in Paracale for the things that we will need. We waited for our guide and after sometime, our little boat was racing against the bigger ones to reach the islands in record time.

It was scorching hot as what can be expected at this time of the year. My new friends, Beng, Raul, Kaiye, Glen and Jazz were Calagusas first-timers. I was no longer surprised that some of them literally marveled at the beauty they saw. The lead male band member, Jherson, tasked himself in finding us a good camping spot. However, most of the ideal ones were already taken. We ended up setting up camp just a few meters where we landed.  It turned out to be the perfect spot as trees provided us the needed shade on this hot summer day.

After having our lunch and a short nap, we wasted no time and frolicked in the clear waters of Mahabang Buhangin beach. I slipped on my red tail and joined my friends as they cheered on for me. It was exhilirating to finally swim in the seas and realize my dreams for the first time. I had become a real mermaid.

We stared at the skies. How lovely it was as we witnessed the sea pull the sun below before giving birth to the warm luminous night.  

Our endless night was filled with laughter. Cherished memories were created and lasting friendships were formed. Some of them I only met at that time but I felt like I have known them for a long while. The following day, we had our own activities. I found myself spending time with new-found twin sister Kaiye as we spent hours talking about Sweet Valley, Sociology and the never-ending exchange of the famous lines which goes something like this: ‘Sir, sabi nila give love on Christmas Day. So give me love sir. Pero kung wala talaga, just tell me. How do I unlove you?’

Time was so slow that we already packed our things even if the others were still yet to arrive (sorry guys!). I can already see Jollibee and was imagining kissing his mascot all throughout. 

All in all, it was one of the funniest weekends I had this year. Truly, it’s who you travel with that makes the roller coaster ride more worthwhile. I miss you guys! Till the next #TeamRedTail’s adventure!

#LabLablab #MoonMoonMoon #TeamRedTail #TeamBff

I ken ze the statoo o’liberty. Beri smawl op korz!